Phil Jackson said he needs to do minor tinkering to balance the roster, but there will be no big splashes now that Pau Gasol is off to Chicago. And Jackson may not even use the $3.3 million mini mid-level exception.

Jackson said the club needs more rebounding and has a glut of guards he needs to straighten out, but is very wary of giving out a long-term deal as he looks to protect the 2015 cap space. Jackson also has to see whether second-rounder Cleanthony Early can be Carmelo Anthony’s backup. The Zen Master said he has been impressed with Early, but still called him “green.’’

The Knicks will have major cap room in 2015 and center Marc Gasol is expected to be their top target — unless LeBron James opts out if things somehow crash in Cleveland.

“I want to be fiscally responsible,’’ Jackson said. “We’ve been a taxpayer team for some time and we want to eliminate that.

“We’re not going to foolishly throw money away because it’s available to us. We want to make appropriate moves that bring our team forward. We have a roster that we can’t add a whole lot of players.’’

Wayne Ellington and backup point guard Shane Larkin could be moved for a rebounding big man. The Knicks have inquired about New Orleans power forward Jason Smith and Washington’s Trevor Booker with their exception. Metta World Peace is also a free agent and sources say wants to get back to New York.

“We still need positions to be filled,’’ Jackson said. “We’re short big and long in the guard corps. We have to do roster management there.’’

What should Jackson do?

Unfortunately, Todd brings up the sad reality of having to be a CPA in order to negotiate any trade in the NBA. I just read that LeBron James' contract with Cleveland is only 2 seasons in duration! He can also opt out after this year! Why? Check this out!

The NBA Salary Cap will reportedly rise to $80 Million Dollars in 2016-2017 due to the NBA's new deal with television networks which will infuse the sport with billions of dollars. Finally, the Knicks can sign those "unknown" marquee free agents without having to worry about the current pettiness of this onerous and restrictive CBA which only helps small market teams and kills teams like New York, LAL, Chicago, and Miami.

I think that Phil is being extra cautious in spending any of the precious cap dollars which are even available now e.g. the $3.3 exception. Melo serves the role of a marquee player who loves New York. In 2016, Kevin Durant and now, LeBron James will be UFAs along with many other NBA players. While I think there is a chance that Marc Gasol will be a Knicks Free Agent target next summer, I am hoping that Cole Aldridge and Jeremy Tyler can be the centers of our future just so Jackson doesn't have to spend the Knicks Cap money on an older, possibly declining pivot like Marc Gasol.

Imagine that in two short years, Phil will have that extra $20 million to spend on the best players in the NBA! If Jackson plays his cards right, New York could have approximately $44 million dollars to spend on free agents by summer of 2016 and this is with Carmelo Anthony on the payroll. However, my point now is to keep as much of this money as possible and I have read this from on-line sources and the papers, is this.

Phil Jackson doesn't plan on spending the Knicks surplus salary in 2015 on a player just because a player is available. Even with Melo, the Knicks will have nearly $45 million dollars in Salary Cap monies available to sign other superstars who are compatible with Carmelo and the triangle. This is in 2016.

In the meantime, I am hoping that the organization does develop their young talent like Shane Larkin, Cleanthony Early, Jeremy Tyler, Tim Hardaway, Jr., and work with Iman Shumpert on developing his offensive game since he is coming up on his qualifying year next summer. New York has to make a decision on Shump, since New York has to offer Iman around $4 million in 2016.

If anyone knows who the free agents will be in 2016-17, I'd love to know! Also, I am sure that the Knicks will no longer be giving away their first round picks.

2015-16 Knicks Roster

PG: Calderon/Larkin/Pablo

SG: J.R. Smith/Hardaway, Jr./Ellington

SF: Carmelo Anthony/Iman Shumpert/Cleanthony Early

PF: Amar'e/K-Mart/Jeremy Tyler

C: Dalembert/Cole Aldrich/Bargnani

My expectations are that Bargnani will not be a traditional center, but that outside shooting 7 footer. This is Andrea's contract year, so I expect him to play with a bit more zeal and crash the boards, since his career is on the line.

I see Tyler playing the 4/5—more 5 if Amar'e remains injury free. I may be crazy but I do see see Stat playing at an all-star level this season and I wouldn't be surprised to see him post 18 to 20 ppg, 9 rpg, and average 1 block a game.

My hope is that Shane Larkin gets some time behind Calderon, since this kid may emerge as an asset, despite his height. I do not know if Fish is going to try Shumpert at the point, yet if Iman can man this position, the Knicks will be in incredible shape for the next 8 years. Iman is 6'6, a superb defender, and an inconsistent shot. Yet, he is a slasher and can break down defenses when he is "on".

I sign one player and this is K-Mart. I hear about the injury concerns, but this guy plays like he is 27 years old and I cannot name another NBA player who has the balls to mess with him…

Dalembert missed only 2 games last season and will give NY 6 ppg, 6 rpg, and 6 fouls per game.

I can remember when every article about basketball didn't start and end with talk about cap space, mini mid exemptions, Bird rights, and maximum contracts. The numbers they talked about were points, rebounds, assists - you know - about the game. I mean, there was time when Bob Cousy (or someone like that) was traded for a few extra Ice Capade shows - no really! I would just like an article (and the team decision making) to be based on a basketball fit rather than some 'fantasy sports' draft model. I mean honestly, who wouldn't rather see the ice capades than year 5 of Melo's inevitable decline - right?

K-Mart really has been a workhorse for the Knicks and while not a "true" center, he is still athletic, plays well with Stat and Melo, is a relentless defender, and is an excellent finisher on the break,

He had off-season surgery on his ankle, which he noted was successful. When a guy like K-Mart is available and wants to play with the Knicks, here is where Phil should spend the $3.3 million exception. There is another thing to consider. K-Mart knows these players and is a presence in the locker-room. In terms of his skill set, there has been very little erosion in terms of Martin's athleticism.

Kris Humphries? I'd rather have K-Mart and I thought Metta World Peace would have been a factor last year, but he wasn't.

I believe Cole Aldrich was signed today for the veteran's minimum and I think this guy is going to be a Knick for many years. He isn't afraid of any player in the NBA and would make an excellent tandem with Marc Gasol next season, too.

Jason Smith wouldn't be a bad guy to add but I have another player who comes to mind who might be a free agent to bring in. Kris Humphries would be a great addition to bring in if you want rebounding. If he got some decent minutes he would be in double digits in rebounding in just about every game. He isn't afraid to mix it up with other bigs in the league.

I think there is a chance that Cole Aldrich might be a real sleeper in the triangle offense. Big body. Decent scoring touch. Not a bad rebounder. Pretty good post defender. He was drafted 11th overall.

Jackson has already done a good job with the Dallas trade and signing Carmelo and hiring Fisher. Last year was a disaster....Chandler and Felton were terrible..and complained ALOT to the officials...and they had the team nearly in a mutiny...bad mouthing Woodsons schemes instead of buying in and playing their butts off like the rest of the team. Andrea Bargnani was a bright spot when Chandler went down Barg stepped into the center position and rebounded, defended and blocked shots while scoring too. He really suprised me with his effort...he showed that he is worth keeping. Amare looked like the Amare of old or even better the last 2 months of the season and JR Smith really settled down and played well. Shumpert should do well under Fisher...Woody was not good for Shump like he was for JR.

The talent is there...it wasnt used well at all last season but Phil and Fisher will be much better....they will implement their systems and maximize the talent that this group of players has. I expect that this team...under new leadership from Phil to Fisher and his crew will win 50+ games and do well in the playoffs.

How horrible was that Andrea Bargnani trade last summer? They traded Steve Novak, this years 1st rd pick and, worst of all, inherited his contract which counts 11.5 mill against the cap this year.I don't know all the salary cap implication if we didn't have him but I'm sure Phil would have had more flexibility THIS YEAR.

I've been saying Marc Gasol even before the Knicks got Phil and the Calderon. He's the PERFECT fit for the triangle. With him and a few more under the radar moves the Knicks will become a perennial contender.

@Donnie Walsh I disagree. I would take K-Mart and Ron Artest any day over those guys.They defend like their lives depended on it.If K-Mart and Ron were to guard Booker and Smith in a game...the latter 2 would not score!

You think they are done? Since when is an NBA player done at 35? 39-40 they are done. Thats when father time catches up to even the most elite athletes but MANY NBA players are very effective at ages 35-38! You say Ron Artest is a shell of himself on both ends of the court? Did you see him play his last season with the Lakers? Woody didnt even play him...cause Woody has a bad season last year...bad decisions etc.

Kenyon Martin and Ron Artest are awesome players that would split 3.3mil to be on the Knicks. A no-brainer to me....sign them!

@BrooklynOxy Nice post...I agree with all of it. Kenyon brings it. He is a game changer coming off the bench. He goes well with Melo and JR from their days as Denver teammates. Kenyon Martin and JR Smith are 2 of the most athletic players in the league.

I also believe that the Knicks can get both K-Mart AND Ron Artest( MWP) for that 3.3 mil exception. Talk about bringing in some defense off the bench those 2 are some of the best in the past 12 yrs. Metta was very successful playing under Phil Jackson as a Laker. Woody didnt give Metta hardly any minutes when he was healthy...really didnt get a chance and thats sad because he has wanted to be a Knick since his playing days at St. Johns. The Knicks would get alot for very little money. K-mart and Artest are proven winners.

Cole Aldrich seems to have what it takes to become a major player in the rotation. He seems very fundamental and energized.

@Observer I agree 100%! Cole Aldrich is a real center...excellent rebounder...good cleanup guy on the offensive boards and loves to block shots. Nice hook shot too. He brings alot of energy and this season will be his breakout year.

@Steven Shiffrin Marc Gasol is an UFA in 2015. There is no one on the Knicks Memphis would take in a return trade, so the Knicks have to hope that Gasol wants to be here. Phil can just sign him to a Max deal in Summer 2015 if the Grizzlies cannot trade him.

@Jackie C. JACKIE I feel your pain and I am right with you. Carmeloser doesn't care about winning.. he got paid.. he will take 25 shots per game at his usual, inefficient 44%, he will put up some points and claim.. " he doesn't have help".. these homer NY fans will blame phil, dolan, calderon, shumpert, etc for the teams failures and carmelo will complain about his shoulder..

@DOB@Jackie C. Right on Dude - I'm glad not every knick fan is a brain dead numbskull living in some fantasyland and in denial of reality. I'm just sad that P.J. thinks he's gonna change this guy. But hey - it's going to get real interesting when Fisher realizes what he's got on his hands and the internal strife starts leaking out to the media!

@TheMecca Josh@Jackie C. NO, I'll comment as long as I live in America - even with stupids like you who think people shouldn't speak their minds. You speak yours, even though it's only a pea in your head.

@Rex Reyanson@DOB@Jackie C. Umm, you really don't know s**t from shinola, do you? I mean, I understand that you can't discern regarding character in people, most dumb people can't. But you don't even know basic math! They made it to the finals twice int eh 90's. They'll won't have a chance now until car-Me-Loser's contract expires.